This program will address historic and contemporary images and misrepresentations of Indians in a variety of media. Indian images from films, photographs, language, mascots, popular culture, and commercial interests will be deconstructed and analyzed for meaning, significance, power, representation, and issues of authenticity. Colonialism, U.S./Indian history, geopolitics, and economics will be decolonized through the lenses of Native resistance, Native sovereignty, and Native political and economic issues. Essential to this exploration will be an investigation of the dynamics of "self" and "other."

Learning will take place through readings, seminars, lectures, films, and workshops. Students will improve their research skills through document review, observations, and critical analysis. Students will also have opportunities to improve their writing skills through weekly written assignments. Verbal skills will be improved through small-group and whole-class seminar discussions, and through individual final project presentations. Options for the final project will be discussed in the syllabus and in class.